2021 Canada Summer Games Bid Committee Appoints Co-Chairs

Community volunteers Dr. Amanda Schweinbenz and Dr. Darren Stinson have been appointed co-chairs of the Greater Sudbury 2021 Canada Summer Games Bid Committee. Together, they will champion the event to rally the community in advance of an important visit by the Canada Games Council in late February.

“We are delighted to have two high profile and uniquely qualified individuals to lead Phase Two of our bid for the 2021 Canada Summer Games,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger. “Dr. Schweinbenz and Dr. Stinson have demonstrated a passionate commitment to the success of our bid and the incredible opportunity it presents for Greater Sudbury.”

Dr. Schweinbenz is professor and coordinator of Laurentian University's Sports and Physical Education program and is head coach of the Laurentian Voyageurs Rowing Team. In the 10 years she has been involved with the team, the Laurentian Voyageurs has developed championship rowers, including internationally ranked world record holders.

She also volunteers as the coach coordinator for the Sudbury Rowing Club, where she facilitates the high school, junior, U23 and youth-at-risk programs at local, provincial and national levels.

Dr. Darren Stinson has his own practice as a veterinarian with the Chelmsford Animal Hospital. He is an active community volunteer. Past service includes the Walden Winter Carnival organizing committee and certified competitive coaching at the Copper Cliff Curling Club.

Most recently, Dr. Stinson served as Chair of the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation Board of Directors.

The Canada Games Council announced the eligibility of Greater Sudbury for Phase Two of the bid process, following an August visit to the community by its Technical Review Committee. The committee inspected over 20 potential sport and non-sport games venues as part of Phase One, which represents 40 per cent of the overall score.

Phase Two includes a comprehensive information package to demonstrate the community’s commitment and vision for the games. The Greater Sudbury Summer Games Bid Committee will seek the support of local stakeholders and champions to build grassroots support for the event, including funding opportunities, ideas for revenue generation and sponsorship, and host activities.

The bid package must be submitted to the Canada Games Council by January 31, 2017 in advance of their late February visit.

The summer 2021 Canada Summer Games will be awarded to one host community: Greater Sudbury, Ottawa, Niagara Falls or Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge/Guelph. The selected host community must accommodate 4,600 athletes, coaches and managers, 1,000 technical representatives and officials, 650 media and broadcast personnel and 16, 000 visitors over the 18 days of competition. The Canada Games Council will select the winning host community in the spring of 2017.

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